I LOVE shaping surfboards and I'm kinda obsessed with this craft. Even though I am about to shape my 205th board I'm still considering myself as a novice but I hope to become a master one day... This blog is a virtual portfolio and a diary of my journey in the shaping world. Feel free to leave comments or contact me directly at valerie@meremadesurfboards.com.

Valerie Duprat

-Shaper of Mère-Made Surfboards

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

board#013: shortboard for Chris

Dimensions: 5'10 x 20 x 2 5/8
[Completed in July 2012]

Unusual project for me: shaping a fat short board! I am so used to shape skinny short boards for my husband that this special order give me the opportunity to do the opposite: keep as much volume as possible! Also it is the first board made in my new shaping room!!!

Chris, the new owner of board#013 wanted a 5'10 short board which would have great manoeuvrability in medium sized waves coupled with easy paddling. We both went "shopping" in the local surf shops (I go with a camera, ruler and notepad... and I take lots of measurements). He picked the Motorboat model designed by Rob Machado for Channel Islands. Few weeks later, here is my version of the Motorboat: small rocker for the best water/board contact (for paddling), a lot of volume specially towards the nose with a very very flat deck, double concave and of course, a custom design.

About the design: Chris is a huge fan of Gerry Lopez (who is not a fan of him?). He even talked to him on the phone once :) So I wanted to incorporate the famous Lighting Bolt logo into the design. I came up with the idea of a giant black widow with her characteristic red belly mark being the Lighting bolt. Chris loved the idea. Although I have a big spider phobia, I really like how this one hugs the board (or hangs on tight). Once again, I am sad to say bye-bye to this board. Chris, take good care of it...
(see testimonial below the pictures)

if this spider was real I would probably faint :)

volume:length ratio is the magic recipe of this board

"CK" looks familiar to you
but it actually stands for Caiden and Kona (Chris'kids)

I told Chris he HAS to buy a black/red pad:
no other colors allowed!

board#013 (hiding in the corner like a spider) is actually
the first one shaped in my shaping room

Chris picking up his new board

Time for me to let go of board#013 :(

08/16/12 update: here is the text I got from Chris today... which actually made my day :)"Okay so at approximately 6.30am today the Mere-Made Black Widow took its Mere Maiden voyage at D Street in knee to waist high slop and after a few false starts and in spite of its slightly overweight owner was able to lift the wobbly bellied surfer (me) into a nice bowly little wave and even shot him out ahead of the foam ball. A feat no other thruster was previously able to accomplish! The session was completed without a ding, pressure mark or scratch. Can't wait to ride it in better waves! I love it! Now we can hook up for a sesh. Thanks"
Chris, I should be the one thanking you for trusting me on this project. Your enthusiasm gave me wings.

4 comments:

Awesome as always! Maybe next year you can get a booth at the US Open and I will help work it!!!! you could get all kind of orders.. I dont know how to go about it..but it would be smart to look into it now.. what you think?

Lol ha! I owe you for your patience with me and I am a BIG fan of your boards .... Now when you start making more money than you know what to do with and I get a LOT of people to buy your boards.. Then and only then would I consider any form of compensation ;-)!